Israel Press - Up to date Israel news

Knesset targets radical haredi anti-draft movement

After years of harassment, threats, and even physical violence against haredi soldiers, the Knesset is pushing forward new legislation to clamp down on fringe religious groups.

On Wednesday the Knesset approved the preliminary reading of a bill that would punish anti-enlistment inciters with five year prison sentences.

The bill, proposed by Yoav Kish (Likud) targets radical haredi elements involved in the so-called “Hardak” campaign, which has targeted haredi soldiers, stigmatizing them as heretics and encouraging violent attacks on their property and persons.

Just over a week ago, a haredi soldier and his small son were attacked by stone-throwers near a yeshiva in Ashdod. In February, a mob in Ashdod attacked military police.